Figure 2: Comparison of HDI Scores over Period
4A EQI and HDI
Figure 3 plots the EQI and HDI Scores of the 14 States during
Period A. While the States located in the North-East corner of the Figure
characterized States with both high EQI and HDI scores, States placed
in South-West corner represents those with worst performance on both
counts. The States positioned in the North-West corner of the figure on
the other hand indicates the States performing appreciably in terms of
EQI, but not in terms of HDL We can see that Kerala and Maharashtra
are clearly the top performers on both counts while Bihar and UP are
located at the other extreme. Orissa and Rajasthan on the other hand
had performed poorly in terms of HDI (placed below the first quartile),
despite putting up a commendable performance on EQ front. Looking
at the other major States it is observed that while AP had performed
moderately well in terms of EQI, its accomplishment in terms of HDI
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was rather limited. Other major States like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu
were moderately placed on both counts. Karnataka on the other hand
despite being a top performer in terms of EQI fared moderately on the
HDI front (placed below the second quartile line). The HDI had been
quite high for northern States like Punjab and Haryana (characterized
by a vibrant agricultural and industrial sector), but they secured a lower
place on the EQI scale, primarily owing to overexploitation of natural
resources.20
Figure 3: HDI Score Vs. EQI Score (1990-1996)
HDI Score: Period A
20 Sidhu (2002) notes that in Punjab more than nine Iakh tube wells are being supplied
electricity free of cost, leading to indiscriminate use. This in turn is causing
underground water to deplete at a rate of 23 centimeter per annum, which in
future would require submersible pumps to be installed, meaning that only rich
farmers could afford to bear the expenditure. Apart from severe environmental
consequences, this is expected to fuel rural inequality further. Bhullar and Sidhu
(2006) have also reported disregard to environmental sustainability for short run
income and productivity gain in Punjab, which has resulted in overexploitation of
land and water resources.
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